Tropical Fish Forums

Hexum · Regulars Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Location: Westerville, OH

I've thought and talked about it for a long time, and now that I have my freshwater tank fully established and doing very well, I'm going to try my hand at a salt water tank.

Because this is my first time doing so, I don't know much, but I've been reading through the links and stuff on here. I only want to do something small. I have an empty 10 gallon at home that I would like to use.

Would 10 gallons be alright for a mostly reef tank? I would like to have maybe 1 or 2 small fish or something. I really like clown fish.

What are your thoughts on setting up a 10 gallon?

perfectblue · Regulars Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Location: MN

First I want to say that reading a few good books such as The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta and The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner will help you out greatly in setting up a successful marine aquarium.

A 10 gallon tank is somewhat small to start with as your first saltwater tank in my opinion. Since this is your first saltwater tank I would recommend keeping it a invert only tank for the first few months so you can get the hang of keeping a basic saltwater tank. I would personally only add a single small fish to a 10 gallon tank. You could definitely do a single Percula or Ocellaris Clownfish, but I would leave it at that. I wouldn't add any coral to the tank either for a little awhile. I don't know what you would like to do as far as filtration goes but I would recommend a very simple setup. Get around 10lbs of live rock, and a couple small powerheads for flow. You could add a HOB filter if you wanted to run carbon or other chemical media.

Do plenty of research, and take everything slowly. If you have anymore questions just ask.
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55 gallon FOWLR saltwater tank

2.5 gallon saltwater tank

number6 · Moderators Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada

I wouldn't add any fish at all... you won't miss them.

Live rock, decent lighting, a regular hang on the back filter with carbon and a few easy corals makes a lovely tank to get the hang of salt water without the heart break of a dead fish...

What about a "special" shrimp or crab, say the Neopetrolisthes ohshimai?

Something to consider...
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"Just don't look in my fish room honey... it's just better for all of us. "

Hexum · Regulars Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Location: Westerville, OH

What if I upgraded it to 20 gallons instead? I could afford to pick one up if it would make things easier with more room, etc.. to work with.

Pete Harcoff · Advisors Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Location: Canada

The recommendation I usually see is to not do a s/w tank under 30 gallons. Not that they aren't possible smaller, but that you're less likely to have problems with a greater water volume.

You could then use the 10 gallon as a quarantine/emergency tank.

number6 · Moderators Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada

I would modify the rule somewhat to "don't add fish to a salt water tank under 30g"

If you used the 10g as a sump to the 20g, then I would probably stick to a pair of clownfish.

I can't stress this too much though... SW is just a lot more interesting than fresh water... so much more life crammed into a small container. You don't miss fish as long as you have movement from corals (xenia, etc. ) and invertbrates. I picked up an Orange lipped conch and the looks that he gets is priceless...
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"Just don't look in my fish room honey... it's just better for all of us. "

Hexum · Regulars Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Location: Westerville, OH

Well I found a 29 gallon that is in my price range. Would that be sufficient enough since it's about as close as you can get to a 30 gallon?

kralster · Members Joined: 20 Mar 2006

29 is close enough to a 30 in my opinion. Just do plenty of reading from various articles and you should get a pretty good idea on the does and don'ts of saltwater. Aquaclear filter or a marineland filter are your best bet. And since you will have a smaller setup you might consider using a UV sterilizer, this will help keep the water clearer in my opinion. Less chance of having algae and green water. Good Luck!

number6 · Moderators Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada

yup, a 29g is a much better start if you are adding a fish or two. Keep the bioload really light and don't even try adding fish for a few months. The live rock takes ages to cycle and then the tank has to mature.

Hunt for fish from a local hobbyist over a fish store if you don't know of a totally reliable fish store. Cyanide fish can takea long time to finally die!

Lots of luck!
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"Just don't look in my fish room honey... it's just better for all of us. "